While working with companies that have successfully implemented fleet telematics and are enjoying the benefits of it, we have gathered a lot of experience over the years regarding customers’ concerns. One of the most pressing is surely the anticipation of driver reluctance when it comes to accepting a fleet telematics system—which actually becomes a deterrent to upgrading to a new technological system.
If on the one hand you might think this is a daunting challenge and your staff won’t be receptive to the idea, on the other hand we want to show you this apprehension is often unwarranted. In actual fact there are many benefits, not only for companies who opt for introducing fleet telematics, but for employees as well.
Here are 4 strategies to help you overcome the big brother stigma and acquire fleet telematics technology with the buy-in of your team!
#1 - Be honest and transparent
Be absolutely transparent from the beginning with your employees and explain that you are going to try the technology way before its full implementation. Explain how the system will work and be open to questions. Some employees might be sceptical initially before coming round in time. If you are sincere from the very beginning, you will gain their trust.
#2 - Explain how technology can make their job better
The main reason for considering technology is obviously not to point fingers at drivers or to spy on them, but rather to make the business enterprise more efficient and competitive. Part of the process necessarily means an overall improvement in their working conditions such as not having to call them all the time to keep track of their positions, sending the closest convenient driver to a location, establishing routes and schedules that are manageable and—yes— monitoring their behaviour. This, however, is an incentive to keep drivers under the speed limit and make them feel more responsible—not least, protecting against legal and safety issues. In our experience, good employees have no problem with accountability and, in fact, welcome it as it sets them apart from less productive co-workers.
#3 - Explain how the implementation can make the company healthier
It also helps to explain the savings in company costs made on fuel, maintenance and administration jobs. Explain how the new process can generate bonus programs, how it can reduce customer call-backs, cancellations, complaints and paperwork (for timecards) and improve upon driver training etc. It will make for a better company with benefits everyone should realise and readily appreciate. The healthier the company, the more secure the jobs within it.
#4 - Focus on positive driver behaviour
One of the major complaints might be that the technology will urge managers to focus on “bad habits”, but there have actually been several cases in which technology has helped in defending drivers and protecting them against false claims. Another good idea, once the system is underway, is to call a training meeting and make an effort to highlight the positive behaviour or good performances within the fleet that may have gone unnoticed previously, prior to tracking technology. You now have a tool to pick out good driver performance, so you can now encourage and reinforce this kind of positive behaviour and also enhance self-esteem.